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breech Definition

breech (brēc̸h; for vt. 1 bric̸h)

noun

  1. the buttocks; rump
  2. the lower or back part of a thing; specif.,
    1. the lower end of a pulley block
    2. the back end of the barrel of a gun

Etymology: ME brech < OE brec, pl. of broc < IE base *bhreg-: see break

transitive verb

  1. to clothe with breeches
  2. to provide (a gun) with a breech

breech Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • gun: The breeches of the guns ran back under cover to be loaded using hydraulic machinery.
  • copyright: Failure to comply with these regulations shall be considered a breech of copyright and will be treated as such.
  • rule: However I don't believe we would be able to demonstrate that Rangers are in breech of any rules or regulations.
  • contract: Someone ought to sue the BBC and demand their license fee back for breech of contract.

Converse of object

  • wear: Conrad wears breeches or short trousers with a tunic.
  • ride: When I started to help out on the farm I had my parents buy me a pair of riding breeches and knee length socks.
  • have: Legs were visibly instituted to be breeched, and we have breeches.. .

Adjective modifier

  • undiagnosed: The undiagnosed breech was the group most at risk.
  • black: They wear maroon and green rosettes with black breeches and white shirts.
  • white: It was in white breeches that the infantry used to fight.

Modifies a noun

  • loader: There is not much time to lose, for Austria is probably for the moment the last in the race for the breech loaders...
  • loading: At the turn of the century the harbor defenses at Cork were being rebuilt to take breech loading artillery.
  • birth: Knowing that her midwife was experienced in breech birth, Anna chose to remain at home.
  • rifle: The next notable achievement was the introduction of the Snider breech loading rifle.
  • presentation: Nevertheless, there are about 18,000 breech presentations at term annually in the UK.
  • baby: Turning the breech baby: what is the outcome?

Noun used with modifier

  • corduroy: Had on light mixed gray coat and waistcoat with metal buttons, corduroy breeches, round hat and plated shoe buckles if not altered.
  • knee: He was a delicate, frail-looking little fellow, dressed in a black velvet suit with knee breeches.
  • leather: For the boys a dozen pairs of leather breeches were purchased.
  • security: BAE systems have come up with a novel method of stopping Wi-Fi security breeches.

Browse dictionary entries near breech

  1. bree
  2. brede
  3. Breda
  4. bred
  5. Breconshire
  6. Breckinridge
  7. Brecht
  8. brecciate
  9. breccia
  10. breathy
  1. breech delivery
  2. breech-loading
  3. breechblock
  4. breechcloth
  5. breeches
  6. breeches buoy
  7. breeching
  8. breechless
  9. breechloader
  10. breed